"Bright Star" is like a plunge into icy water for anyone who's been spending the summer splashing around with such movies as "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra."

For one thing, the pace is slow and measured. For another, the visuals are lyrical and seductive. And the acting is impeccable.

Sound like a highbrow bore? To many, it will — which is a shame, because "Bright Star" is a rich, sumptuous and, yes, challenging experience. It's also one of writer-director Jane Campion's better films, a vast improvement over the silly pretense of "In the Cut" and the impenetrable chilliness of "The Portrait of a Lady."

Campion gets her "Piano" groove back by finding her muse in the form of Romantic poet John Keats. Their cinematic union is both elegant and natural: The 19th-century poet evoked mood through the sensation of language; Campion gracefully achieves the same goal through the sensuality of detailed imagery. "Bright Star" is gorgeous to behold.

Keats buffs should go expecting a far-from-traditional film biography. They most likely will leave hungering for more, as Campion focuses on a short span in the tragic life of Keats, who died of tuberculosis at 25.

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Campion opts for a sensitive portrait of Keats ("I'm Not There's" Ben Whishaw) as seen through the eyes of his love and inspiration Fanny Brawne ("Somersault's" Abbie Cornish). This novel approach to the biopic is refreshing, placing us inside the passionate and enduring relationship as an unconventional and bluntly honest Brawne upends the life of penniless Keats.

Andrew Motion's biography of the poet, along with letters between Keats and Brawne, served as Campion's guides for re-creating the sometimes tumultuous relationship.

Their love is touching, sexy and disturbing as a consumptive love affair blossoms between two people from opposite sides of the social spectrum — she has money, and he survives on the financial support of benefactors such as his wealthy and crass buddy Mr. Brown (Paul Schneider).

We want to see these two together and happy, but from Keats' first hacking cough we know the romance is doomed.

To that end, most of the responsibility of the success of "Bright Star" rests on the shoulders of the cast, and this intimate group meets every expectation.